Episode 3 of "In The Mud" kicks off with a poignant flashback depicting Marina entangled in a toxic romance with her boyfriend, Martin. The scenes reveal a relationship marked by Martin's profound insecurity regarding Marina's interactions with other men. Casual slaps and hits fly between them, yet these actions are barely acknowledged amidst their declaration of love.
Transitioning to the present, Cecilia issues a stern command to her guards, mandating punishment for all inmates in retaliation for recent events. The guards meticulously confiscate an array of contraband items, spanning from drugs and cigarettes to cellphones, sex toys, and beyond. Cecilia further demands the internet be shut down and orders the installation of network jammers, effectively squashing any possibility of communication via overlooked burner phones. Zurda's operations are hit hardest by this measure, while Maria's punishment sees her mobility severely restricted.
Elsewhere, Amparo and her beau Cuervo hatch plans to relocate abroad, dreaming of a fresh start. Concurrently, the prison guards voice their exhaustion to Daniel, the senior guard, lamenting the relentless shifts they've endured over the past three days. Daniel offers little solace, merely reminding them of their obligation to adhere to Cecilia's directives.
Marina confides in Gladys about Zurda's proposition, prompting Gladys to advise her to act in her own best interest. Seeking deeper insights, Gladys ventures to meet Maria, steering the conversation towards Cecilia. Maria's familiarity with Cecilia's complexities becomes evident, leading Gladys to accept an offer to collaborate with her.
Meanwhile, Yael's joy at reuniting with her daughter is tempered by the stark reality of her child's upbringing within prison walls. A grim revelation strikes Yael when she learns of Noelia, a pregnant inmate, choosing adoption for her unborn child.
Inside the confined depths of the hole, Maria's lackeys and the lesbian duo find themselves locked in constant squabbles, rendering it a Herculean task for Alan and the fellow guards to maintain order amidst the chaos. Marina crosses paths with Zarda and Victoria, and after a brief conversation, she agrees to embark on an adult film career alongside them. She insists on maintaining her anonymity, her face obscured at all times, as she harbors aspirations of resuming her modeling career post-incarceration.
Later, Marina encounters Coco, who urges her to reconsider her decisions. Undergoing a drastic makeover, Marina's appearance undergoes a complete transformation, bolstering her self-esteem. As the day progresses, Cecilia reproaches Dr. Soriano for neglecting Patricia, who has yet to sign the vital adoption consent form. Cecilia unravels the complexities she has faced in securing the legal documentation under such circumstances. In response, Dr. Soriano divides the illicit profits from the adoption scheme and hands Cecilia her portion.
Zarda organizes a modest gathering for her circle, and Marina, partaking in the revelry, indulges in cigarettes and heavy drugs, oblivious to the displeasure she's inciting in Soledad and Olga. Gladys gleans from Marina's presence at Zurda's establishment that she has made a definitive choice to venture into the world of prostitution.
That very night, a monumental brawl erupts within the hole, sparked by one of Maria's minions dousing the lesbian couple with pepper spray, leaving the guards wounded and one taken hostage. Fortunately, Sister Rosetta intervenes, aiding in the rescue of the hostage guard.
Meanwhile, the festive ambiance at the party is abruptly shattered, compelling Marina to return to her unit. In the showers, a guard attempts to assault her, but Alan arrives at the nick of time to intervene. Despite Marina's attempt to kiss him in gratitude, Alan escorts her back to her unit, where Gladys catches her climbing into bed, painting a picture of a tumultuous evening filled with drama and danger.
We witness Amparo and Cuervo together, hatching a plan to flee the country. Amparo's world lights up when she discovers she is pregnant, her excitement palpable. Just as their dreams seem within reach, the police storm in, brutally attacking Cuervo, resulting in his tragic death and Amparo's subsequent arrest.
Inside the prison walls, Cecilia encounters Maria and Zurda, compelling them, through sheer force of will, to accede to her demands. Zurda, though reluctantly, gives in, prompting Cecilia to lift the ban on internet and network access. She then tasks Daniel with restoring the inmates' phones, a move that stuns the prison director when Daniel informs Cecilia of Amparo's incarceration.
As Olga imparts her wisdom on cosmetic surgery to Soledad, the return of their phones marks the resumption of normalcy, albeit a twisted one. Girls begin crafting videos, capturing slices of life within the confines of the prison. Gladys, reunited with her grandson, learns from her daughter of Antín's financial gesture, which she sternly rebukes. Her daughter, struggling financially and as a single mother, justifies her acceptance, handing Gladys a phone left by Antín.
The narrative shifts to Andrés and his wife consulting a physician, who delivers the devastating news that they cannot conceive. Amidst discussions of adoption, Cecilia beckons Andrés to the prison, tasking him with photographing inmates for a press release. The quintet reconvenes, yet Marina feels an alien presence amidst them. Olga and Soledad confide in Gladys and Yael, detailing Marina's transformed demeanor.
The revelation that Amparo has been apprehended and is en route to the prison sends shockwaves through their ranks. That fateful night, Amparo arrives, escorted to Cecilia, who cautions her to tread lightly and lay low, for many within these walls desire her demise. Still grieving Cuervo's loss, Amparo offers Cecilia no assurances.
Meanwhile, Andrés and his wife visit the prison, engaging with Cecilia and the inmates. Eugenia, Andrés' wife, forms a bond with Yael's daughter, her heart warming to the child. Olga's husband arrives, delivering an ultimatum—divorce papers. Olga's mind snaps at the mere suggestion, her reaction a scene of chaos. She rips the papers to shreds, refusing to put pen to paper.
The following day, Amparo visits Zurda and Victoria, who, bound by family ties to Cuervo, pledge their protection, shielding her from potential harm.
